
may be. Christ will be glorified; His peace
and grace and love will pervade the family
circle like a precious perfume. . . .
"Every home should be a place of love,
a place where the angels of God abide,
working with softening, subduing influence
upon the hearts of parents and children."
—The Adventist Home,
pages 17-19.
Requisites for Compatibility
1.
What emotion is the first requi-
site to happiness in marriage? Col.
3:19; Eph. 5:25. Compare Gen.
24:67.
NOTE.—"There are many who regard the
expression of love as a weakness, and they
maintain a reserve that repels others. This
spirit checks the current of sympathy. As
the social and generous impulses are re-
pressed, they wither, and the heart becomes
desolate and cold. We should beware of
this error. Love cannot long exist without
expression. Let not the heart of one con-
nected with you starve for the want of
kindness and sympathy."—The
Ministry of
Healing,
page 360.
"Let each give love rather than exact it.
Cultivate that which is noblest in your-
selves, and be quick to recognize the good
qualities in each other. The consciousness
of being appreciated is a wonderful stimulus
and satisfaction. Sympathy and respect en-
courage the striving after excellence, and
love itself increases as it stimulates to
nobler aims."—/bid., p. 361.
2.
What is the basis for harmony
when two people "walk together"?
Amos 3:3.
Ncrrn.—"No one who fears God can with-
out danger connect himself with one who
fears Him not. 'Can two walk together,
except they be agreed?' Amos 3:3. The
happiness and prosperity of the marriage
relation depends upon the unity of the
parties; but between the believer and the
unbeliever there is a radical difference of
tastes, inclinations, and purposes. They are
serving two masters, between whom there
can be no concord. However pure and
correct one's principles may be, the in-
fluence of an unbelieving companion will
have a tendency to lead away from God."
—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 174.
3.
What qualities of character are
necessary to the success of a marriage?
1 Thess. 4:3-5; Prov. 31:10-12.
NOTE.—"In all the deportment of one
who possesses true love, the grace of God
will be shown. Modesty, simplicity, sin-
cerity, morality, and religion will char-
acterize every step toward an alliance in
marriage."—Messages to Young People,
page 459.
"Let a young woman accept as a life
companion only one who possesses pure,
manly traits of character, one who is dili-
gent, aspiring, and honest, one who loves
and fears God. Let a young man seek one
to stand by his side who is fitted to bear
her share of life's burdens, one whose in-
fluence will ennoble and refine him, and
who will make him happy in her love."—
The Ministry of Healing,
page 359.
4.
What qualities and skills con-
tribute significantly to the success and
happiness of marriage? Prov. 31:13-
17; Titus 2:4, 5.
NOTE.—"Married life is not all romance;
it has its real difficulties and its homely
details. The wife must not consider herself
a doll, to be tended, but a woman; one to
put her shoulder under real, not imaginary,
burdens, and live an understanding,
thoughtful life, considering that there arc
other things to be thought of than herself."
—The Adventist Home,
pages 110, 111.
"In life's toilsome way let the husband
and father 'lead on softly,' as the compan-
ion of his journey is able to endure. Amidst
the world's eager rush for wealth and
power, let him learn to stay his steps, to
comfort and support the one who is called
to walk by his side."—The
Ministry of
Healing,
page 374.
Deference to Each Other
5.
What attitude should the Chris-
tian husband maintain toward his
wife? 1 Peter 3:7.
[ 8 ]